“There exists the yearn for beauty within everyone. To define that beauty is a learning process in
which one discovers and reflects upon one’s primary honor.” - from Yanagi Soetsu’s essay On Collecting
When you’re involved in the art world, inevitably, people ask the same questions. “How did you get started? Where did you go to school? What do you make?”
These are asked of me quite often, but the one question that almost never comes up:
“Why Japanese inspired furniture?”
It’s no secret that Oriental and specifically, Japanese design has influenced Western culture for centuries. Beginning around the time of the Italian Renaissance, the demand for art, furniture, and textiles from the Far East grew until around the 1700’s the demand became mainstream in décor.
Of course, the Arts and Crafts movement had its roots grounded in Japanese aesthetics and design principles. Frank Lloyd Wright himself was indeed inspired by these elements. In fact, he was an obsessed collector of Japanese woodblock prints, making several trips to Japan to further the collection.
The appeal for the pioneers of the Arts and Crafts movement wasn’t just the aesthetic, as was the case for the 18th century collectors. It actually began at the heart of Japanese design. The foundational principles that govern Japanese design were ideals that resonated deep within these designers and architects, and guided these individuals as they produced homes, furnishings, and also a way of life that has carried through into this century.
Early on in my woodworking education, I looked to the designs and ideas of the Arts and Crafts style for influence and inspiration. As I dug deeper into the history of the movement, however, I discovered an aesthetic and philosophical foundation that I was already familiar with.
My first exposure to Asian culture came on Christmas Day 1978. (That’s me in the middle.) A simple gift of a robe from my aunt who had returned from Japan and China was all it took. At around age 6,
Yeah, that's me in the middle.
I began to go to great lengths (and still do) to learn anything and everything about the culture, the art, and the history. It was anything and everything Japanese, all the time. I even took Japanese as a language in high school. So, naturally when I started my journey into furniture making, I began to turn to my intense interest in Japanese culture and design for my inspiration.
Purposeful restraint, quiet elegance, and integrity of technique are just a few of the ideals that I actively seek to project with my work. Each piece is designed and crafted to function beyond its obvious purpose by bringing peace and tranquility to the space in which it inhabits. This idea has always been at the heart of Japanese design – a marriage of the physical with the spiritual. Each element of the piece functioning in unison as a whole. The literal details communicating the ideals and convictions behind its creation. The end result being a work of art that is created to simply enhance your existence.
So, why does no one ask the question, “Why Japanese inspired furniture?” Maybe they aren’t interested. Maybe they don’t care for the design. Maybe they just don’t care, period.
Perhaps it’s a question they don’t need to ask. Perhaps there is something within the inherent simplicity of Japanese aesthetics that speaks to people in a very unconscious but purposeful way. Perhaps these principles of design convey an unspoken understanding of completion, simplicity, and harmony which most everyone can grasp.
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think your last paragraph holds the key. The fundamental elements of what we consider “the Japanese aesthetic” are probably universally appealing to the human consciousness. Many people in western societies respond positively to those elements without realizing their origin.
I may have asked you this before, but have you ever read Junichiro Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows? If not I highly recommend it. As a matter of fact I may need to pull it off my shelf now and read it again.
@Tracy,
Many western designers and modern designs incorporate a distinct Japanese element that doesn’t always translate as directly from Japanese design. That, to me shows the universal genius behind those design principles that can transcend centuries and be repurposed without loosing meaning or impact.
I need to look up that book. It sounds like a great read.